Avvim עַוִּים
Ancient people who inhabited the Gaza area
Biography
The Avvim were an ancient people mentioned in the Old Testament as early inhabitants of the Gaza region. In Deu.2.23, it is stated that the Avvim lived in villages as far as Gaza until the Caphtorim (Philistines) came from Caphtor and destroyed them, settling in their place. Jos.13.3 also mentions the Avvim as one of the groups living in the land that remained to be conquered by the Israelites. The Avvim are not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, and little is known about their culture or history outside of these brief references. Their destruction by the Caphtorim (Philistines) suggests that they were one of the many people groups displaced or assimilated during the Bronze Age and early Iron Age in the region.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentDeuteronomy 1 verse
- Deuteronomy 2:23
"Then the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza: the Caphtorim, who came out of Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.)"
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Joshua 1 verse
- Joshua 13:3
"from the Shihor, which is before Egypt, even to the border of Ekron northward, which is counted as Canaanite; the five lords of the Philistines; the Gazites, and the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avvim,"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Hebrew | עַוִּים | H5761G |